In August 2025, Pivot Energy presented plans for the Hanks Hill Solar Farm at the White County Courthouse. The company proposed using 12.23 acres with a 50-foot buffer between solar panels and neighboring properties, for a 1.95-megawatt project. Four adjacent families attended and voiced opposition. As a result, the board postponed its decision, leaving approval unresolved.
Read More: https://www.wrul.com/local-news/pivot-energy-and-floodplain-ordinance-tabled-wurst-new-ema-director
In September, the White County Board denied the solar project. Unfortunately for Illinois boards, they can not deny solar energy projects in the state, thanks to Governor Pritzker’s House Bill 4412, which prevents local bans on renewable energy developments. If a County denies the project, it is vulnerable to a lawsuit from the solar company, especially if it meets all standards set by state and local governments.
Pivot Energy tried again in October to have the White County board approve the Hanks Hill Solar Farm project, promising to donate $10,000 to Pets at Risk as part of its “Community Give Back.” Which Pets at Risk denied the donation. The company also revised its proposal after hearing residents’ feedback at previous meetings.
Now it’s February, and Pivot Energy is back for the last time. The company did not change its proposal, offering $10,000 to allow the project’s neighbors to install landscaping and screening.
There was no set date for when the project would begin or how long it would take. There was also a problem with the proposal this time around: the board stated that there are four properties listed, but only three payments of $10,000, and the board had no knowledge of the fourth address.
Chairwoman Cassie Pigg was honest with residents in attendance,
“I’m just going to be honest with you. We’re going to end up having to approve this whether we like it or not.”
Tiffany James, who has been battling Ameren for the mismanagement of their solar project at her house for nearly five years, asked the board a hard-hitting question,
“Where was this five years ago, when you could tell them to kick rocks? Before I went through hell the last five years. And now you guys can’t even get your ordinance enforced. Because you do have grounds to stand on for that, I’ve been asking for that for months and months and months.”
James asked in prior meetings (September 2025) for the States Attorney, Chris Neal, to send a letter and email to Ameren stating that they have not followed the guidance of the ordinance set by the White County Board, which allows the board to fine the company $750 a week. Neal stated he does not recall when the letter was sent, but he has not received any response from Ameren.
With their hands tied, the board approved the project, with them adding a contingency to extend the same $10,000 screening payment to the additional address.